Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better than the Hovawart as a Pet? Answer…

English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Cocker Spaniel and for the Hovawart. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Cocker Spaniel or the Hovawart

English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Hovawart based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor English Cocker Spaniel Hovawart
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 23 to 29 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1500 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Cocker Spaniel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Hovawart. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a English Cocker Spaniel is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Hovawart. So, you should get the English Cocker Spaniel!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are most different:

  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Hovawarts are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart

    The English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are most similar:

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart.

    English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Hovawart

    The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Hovawart.

    This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the English Cocker Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 24 Hovawarts.

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart
    English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Hovawart

    English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Hovawarts?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Hovawart

    English Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    English Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Hovawarts?

    English Cocker Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Cocker Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Cocker Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Cavachon.
  • Norwich Terrier (81 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Norwich Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Hovawart that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Hovawart:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the English Cocker Spaniel and how the Hovawart compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the Hovawart to other breeds:

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Weimaraner     English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart     English Cocker Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     English Cocker Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     English Cocker Spaniel versus Toy Poodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     English Cocker Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     English Cocker Spaniel versus Vizsla     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Ibizan Hound     Hovawart versus American Bulldog     Hovawart versus Norwich Terrier     Hovawart versus Biewer Terrier     Hovawart versus Shih Tzu     Hovawart versus Sloughi     Hovawart versus American Water Spaniel     Hovawart versus Japanese Chin     Hovawart versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Hovawart versus Border Terrier     

    Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.